"Budget Manager"

Budget Manager

Company:

North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category:

Business and Financial Services

Type:

Full-Time

Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at https://jobs.hr.ncsu.edu/.

Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:
The Budget Manager serves as the division's lead budget planner and strategist, overseeing one of the University's largest operating and capital budgets. In this role you will partner directly with Campus Enterprises' leadership to align resources with strategic priorities, ensure compliance with state and university regulations, and provide high-level analysis and forecasting to guide decision-making.

Responsibilities of the Budget Manager include, but are not limited to:

Financial & Analytical Knowledge

• Lead and facilitate the entire annual budget cycle for Campus Enterprises - preparation, approval, implementation/execution, and post-cycle evaluation/reporting.
• Manage the division's 5 year operating budget plan and 15 year capital improvement plan, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic alignment.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and support in the execution of Campus Enterprises' $100M+ operating and capital budgets.
• Develop, review, and monitor budgets and expenditures for compliance with state budget rules, legislative intent, and applicable laws.
• Conduct financial analysis, including revenue projections, expenditure trends, and variance analysis, to identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop models and methodologies for rate setting (meal plans, student fees, and other auxiliary charges).
• Support capital project planning and funding requests; prepare capital budgets in alignment with division priorities.
• Build and maintain data tools, queries, and visualizations to transform complex data into actionable insights.
• Ensure adherence to university policies, internal controls, and best practices in budget management.
• Use financial analysis and modeling not only for management and performance reporting, but also to support complex problem-solving and senior-level decision-making.

Communications/Consulting

• Deliver technical expertise and guidance to unit directors and staff in preparing and executing operating and expansion budgets.
• Prepare and present multi-year financial plans, forecasts, and dashboards to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with unit leaders to evaluate operational changes, assess financial impacts, and recommend strategies for sustainability.
• Provide consultation, technical assistance and coordination in the preparation and execution of the operating and expansion budgets which may utilize multiple funding sources.
• Assist in the provision of technical assistance and guidance to division staff relative to state budget rules and laws.
• Consult with campus partners to work through complex budget matters. Discuss capital project requests with senior leadership, and prepare capital projects budget.
• Build trusted relationships across the University to resolve complex budgetary issues.

Problem Solving

• Apply advanced judgment and strategic reasoning to complex, high-impact budgetary issues affecting productivity, service levels, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Proactively identify, frame, and evaluate budgetary challenges-often in environments characterized by ambiguity, incomplete information, or evolving constraints-and develop well-reasoned options and recommendations for senior leadership decision-making.
• Assess financial, operational, and organizational trade-offs when developing recommendations, balancing fiscal stewardship with institutional priorities, operational capacity, and stakeholder impacts.
• Adapt financial models, forecasts, and budget plans in response to changing conditions such as enrollment shifts, policy changes, market pressures, capital project timing, or unexpected operational disruptions.
• Exercise sound judgment in determining when issues can be resolved independently versus when escalation, collaboration, or leadership engagement is required, ensuring timely and effective resolution of risks and concerns.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, recognizing that recommendations developed by this role inform and directly shape final budgetary decisions.

If you excel at seeing the big picture while mastering the details, thrive on guiding an entire budget cycle from planning to reporting, and are motivated by shaping both short and long-term financial strategies, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on NC State's Campus Enterprises.

Other Work/Responsibilities:
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

A few of the additional expectations and responsibilities are:

• Model the Division's mission and values, fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture.
• Build trusted relationships across the University to resolve complex budgetary issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure Campus Enterprises' evolving business needs.

Minimum Experience/Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, or related discipline; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including financial analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in budget preparation, monitioring, forecasting, and cycle management.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel (complex spreadsheets, models, and reporting)
• Experience working with high-volume, multi-fund operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify discrepancies and recommend solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to work effectively with leadership and staff across all levels.
• Ability to manage confidential data, meet deadlines, and balance multiple priorities.
• Commitment to outstanding customer service and collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public administration, business administration, accounting, or related field or Bachelor's degree with at least 4 years relevant experience (may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis).
• Extensive experience with large enterprise resource planning systems such as PeopleSoft.
• Familiarity with University, State, and departmental financial regulations and the ability to apply them effectively.
• Experience with CBORD, NetSuite, or other systems used in auxilary services operations.

Required License or Certification:
N/A

AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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